GM bananas set for initial trial

Approval has been granted for Australia's first trial of genetically-modified bananas will go ahead in Innisfail in Far North Queensland.

Scientists from the Queensland University of Technology will conduct two trials to test their nutrient content and to improve disease resistance.

Professor James Dale says the plants are sterile so there is no danger of cross-pollination with other crops.

"They don't form any seed and the pollen is essentially sterile so the chances of there being any cross-pollination from the genetically modified bananas to conventional bananas is, I would say nil," he said.